Download 3 How to write actions - Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural

How to Write Objective
Pillar Actions?
Objectives Pillar Workshop
2009
General Considerations
• Consistency with FRPA model
– Due consideration to FRPA goals
– Add value to FRPA framework
– Science-based
• Results-based
– As-needed based on “risk”
– Stewardship liability in hands of tenure holder
and their professionals
General Considerations
• Flexible and adaptive
• Provide clear direction
• Allows for results and strategies to be written (for
objectives)
• Some objectives actions need to be measurable
or verifiable (assessment of effectiveness) e.g.
GWM’s
Strategic or Specific?
• Strategic
– Need for flexibility
– Accounting for unforeseen events or
conditions
– Non-spatial
– Demonstrated track record of tenure holder(s)
– Professional guidance
– Approved LRMP
– Professional Reliance
Strategic or Specific?
• Specific
– Higher risk issues (e.g., species at risk)
– Strong, stable science in support of particular action
– Spatially specific values, or mapping values will
reduce conflicts with overlapping tenures
• With “specific” objectives, take extra care that
the objective is logical, accepted practice, and
achievable
The “Do’s”
• Clearly stated
– Allows common understanding of government’s intent
– Include definitions if necessary
• Enable the writing of measurable and verifiable
results or strategies (objectives)
• Meet the requirements of regulation (e.g., GAR
or LUOR)
• Consistent with similar orders where effective
The “Do’s”
• Terms are consistent with definitions in
FRPA and its regulations
• Orders should be:
– Identifiable
• Include map(s) where appropriate
– Achievable
– Monitored for meeting the intended forest
management goal
The “Do’s”
• Collaborate with other agencies when drafting
• Technical teams may be appropriate and can bring together
expertise in:
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The area the order will apply to
Topics being considered
Legislation
Experience writing legal orders
Data management
Plan implementation
Operations
Compliance and Enforcement
• Ministry of Attorney General groups: Aboriginal Law and Resource ,
Environmental and Law group of Legal Services Branch
The “Do’s”
• Additional considerations for Objectives:
– Delegated decision maker (DDM) for an operational
plan can apply the tests in legislation
– DDM needs to determine whether or not the results or
strategies are:
• “consistent” with the objectives
• “measurable and verifiable”
• Describe the “situations or circumstances” where the
outcomes, steps or practices will be applied
The “Don’ts”
• Do not include background information, procedural
requirements, nor the rationale for the decision in the
order
• Should not devolve a decision to a future planning
process or subsequent decision maker
• Should not include provisions for joint decision making,
nor directing government staff
• Should not duplicate existing legal direction in either
legislation or existing orders
The “Don’ts”
• Cannot be written to provide another individual other
than the statutory or delegated decision maker the ability
to amend an objective
• Nor should objectives be written to suggest policy or
support documents, that are subject to change, are the
ones that determine objectives
• Cannot replace sections of FRPA or other Acts
• Should not conflict with sections of FRPA or other Acts
• Should not include a mandatory review date
The “Don’ts”
• Footnotes
• Preambles
• Use language that sounds permissive but
is operationally exclusionary